Page 42 of Elite Metal: Warriors

He frowned. “Two things. First of all, you never gave me a report of your investigation about those bikers.”

Her gut rippled. She shrugged. “There was nothing to report. Deep Ellum was a dead end.”

“What do you mean?” His tone sharpened.

“I mean dead. There was a report filed with the Dallas PD that two bikers with the descriptions you gave me were sideswiped on the freeway and splattered.”

“Are you sure?”

“Pretty sure. I thought it was kind of odd. One biker sideswiped. Sure. But two? And guys with such distinctive tats?” She gored him with her best reporter glare. “Where did you get that lead?”

He shifted uncomfortably. “Never mind.”

“Just seems weird, is all.”

“It’s not weird.”

“Seems weird.”

He frowned at her. “Forget about that story.”

She forced a blasé expression. “Okay, fine. Is that all you wanted to talk about?”

“No.”

Crap. “Then what?”

“I had a visit.”

Roni’s muscles clenched. She didn’t like the change in his tone. It was harsher, vicious. Predatory.

“A visit?” She tried to keep her tone light, though her nerves were humming. How was Ant doing? She wished someone would tell her, but the bud in her ear was silent.

“From a lawyer.” Marcus spat the word.

It was tough to keep the smile from her face. Clearly, the lawyer had ticked him off. “Do tell.”

He rounded on her. “Who the fuck do you think you are, to demand custody of Annabelle?”

Roni gaped at him. “Um, her only blood relative?”

“I told you I would give you custody.”

“It’s been six years.”

Marcus’ fierce expression devolved to a pout. “There was no need to hire a piranha.”

“Is he? A piranha?”

“You know damn well what he is.” Marcus blew out a harsh breath. “The man threatened to break my kneecaps.”

Roni quit trying to hold back her smile and glanced meaningfully at his kneecaps. “I want my sister back.”

He crossed his arms. “You owe me stories.”

“I owe you nothing. And if you think I’m just going to sit back and let you raise my sister, or keep her from me, you’re crazy. I will do whatever it takes to get her back. Do you understand? Whatever it takes.” She glanced meaningfully at his knees again.

“What about our deal? That you would work for me?”